AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 47, relative to consumer protection.

Description

Fiscal Summary NOT SIGNIFICANT Bill Summary This bill makes various changes and additions to the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977 (referred to in this summary as the "Act"), the Tennessee Information Protection Act, and present law concerning unlawful restraint of trade. Present law authorizes the attorney general to negotiate and accept an assurance of voluntary compliance with respect to any act or practice considered to violate the Act from an alleged violator. Any such assurance must be in writing and be filed with and subject to the approval of the circuit or chancery court of Davidson County. Effective July 1, 2026, this bill removes the requirements that the assurance be in writing and subject to judicial approval. This bill adds that, in any action brought by the attorney general and reporter to enjoin an unfair or deceptive practice affecting commerce, the attorney general and reporter is deemed to lack possession, custody, or control over documents possessed by the general assembly, other state officers, or any state agencies or institutions. If such an action is asserted on behalf of a political subdivision or agency, then the attorney general and reporter may facilitate nonparty discovery from that political subdivision or agency as an instrumentality with an interest in the litigation consistent with present law. Under present law, the act does not apply to a publisher, broadcaster, or other person principally engaged in the preparation or dissemination of information or the reproduction of printed or pictorial matter, who has prepared or disseminated such information or matter on behalf of others without notification from the attorney general that the information or matter violates or is being used as a means to violate the Act. This bill adds that, in order for such exemption to apply, the claim mu

Subjects

Progress

1. IntroducedFeb 3, 2026
2. Sent to committeeFeb 5, 2026